GAME 12: The Leaders Division Championship Game

Let’s set the stage for what perhaps is the biggest football game Penn State has been in since the Rose Bowl following the 2008 season.

It’s raining, first off. My wife tells me it’s a glorious day back in Pennsylvania (a no-video game day for the kids). But here, it’s as ugly as it gets. The sky is a consistent coat of battleship gray. It’s not raining hard, but it’s not drizzling, and it’s steady. It isn’t supposed to slow down much either as the day goes along. Maybe for the second half, it will be a bit drier. But the weather will be a factor in the first half.

It’s the same deal as last week with the Penn State travel roster. They’re going to play with 68 guys. Michael Mauti is calling the defensive signals for interim coach Tom Bradley, and Pete Massaro is working with the special teams unit. Both are injured, but with the coaching situation the way it is, Bradley brought both along to help out (and of course, the both count against the 70 on the travel roster).

True freshmen on the trip are the usual suspects: Amos, Belton, Robinson and Ficken.

The only name missing from the roster that is of significance is receiver Brandon Moseby-Felder, who will miss his second straight game with a back injury.

Wisconsin, from what I’m told, will be without center Peter Konz (ankle), who could be the top center in the nation. That’s a big loss for them and a potential boon for Penn State, who will undoubtedly give backup Ryan Groy a steady diet of Devon Still, Jordan Hill and Daquan Jones.

Back with more as the day progresses. Remember, follow along on Twitter, too. Plenty of thoughts coming from my computer during the game there, too.

UPDATE, 2:31: It looks like there are representatives from the Florida Citrus Bowl (which runs the Capital One Bowl and Champs Sports Bowl) and the Gator Bowl are here. Maybe they’re just looking at Wisconsin, but Tom Bradley said earlier this week during his press conference that he has been “assured” bowl committees won’t punish Penn State for the scandal involving the allegations against Jerry Sandusky. Maybe, though, this is a good sign that Bradley is right.

UPDATE, 2:43: Wisconsin is evidently not going to even risk it with Ryan Groy at center. Travis Frederick, who was listed as the starting left guard, was snapping the ball to Russell Wilson in warmups. So he will likely get the start. I don’t know what the deal is going to be at left guard now, but the backup to Frederick is listed as Zac Matthias, who is only 6-foot-5, 330 pounds. They grow ‘em big here in Wisconsin. It must be the brats.

UPDATE, 2:54: Here’s what I’m told. Take it for what it’s worth: Penn State is going to run a lot of the WildLion (which is what the team calls it) today. A lot. I’m told what they showed Ohio State last week was pretty basic. Bradley has made no bones about how he was unafraid to show too much, and how Wisconsin will have to prepare for what could come off of it. From what I hear, the Nittany Lions have more than just a cursory understanding of this style of offense, and there are plenty of plays they can run off of this.

UPDATE, 3:17: More reasons to read the game notes: Wisconsin will evidently start Groy at left guard if he doesn’t start at center.

UPDATE, 3:21: Michigan is leading Ohio State late in the game. They’ll very likely finish BCS-eligible if they win, and the rumor is that the Sugar Bowl would seriously consider taking the Wolverines. That makes this game huge for both teams. There’s no guarantee the loser of the Big Ten title game will even get a BCS bid, even if eligible.

UPDATE, 3:33: Moments after Michigan sealed a win over Ohio State, the Nittany Lions ran onto the field here at Camp Randall Stadium to a chorus of boos.

In case you were wondering, safety Aaron Henry was the last player introduced here on Senior Day for Wisconsin. That kind of information always interests me. Tells you who means most to the program. For Penn State, it was Devon Still that came out last.

UPDATE, 3:36: PSU won the toss, deferred, and we’re under way.

UPDATE 3:43: Penn State forced a punt on the first series. A nice play by D’Anton Lynn on third down forced it.

UPDATE, 3:51: Can’t start any better offensively, either. The Lions march downfield, with the help of a running into the punter penalty on backup running back James White. And they cap it with a 44-yard touchdown pass from Matt McGloin to Curtis Drake, who was wide, wide, wide open.

Wisconsin paid attention to the WildLion when the WildLion wasn’t there. They lost track of Drake, and the Lions lead.

The running into the punter call was legit, too. Should have been called.

UPDATE, 4:02: Wisconsin responded with vigor. Montee Ball ran through the Nittany Lions defense, and Russell Wilson capped the drive with a 21-yard touchdown to Jared Abbrederis on third-and-5. Chaz Powell blew coverage and Nick Sukay didn’t get over in time to help him out. It was a simple post up the seam, and Wisconsin didn’t miss.

Some things to watch: Gerald Hodges hurt his foot and missed a few plays. Also, Devon Still came out of the game toward the end of that drive, with DaQuan Jones replacing him. Clearly, Still is not 100 percent.

UPDATE, 4:12: Penn State said all week it couldn’t turn the ball over.

On the first play of its second drive, Matt McGloin was intercepted by Shelton Johnson. The Badgers just turned that mistake into seven points, as Montee Ball pounded it in from 2 yards out.

UPDATE, 4:13: Actually, upon further review, Ball was ruled down short of the goal line. Still, first and goal for the Badgers.

UPDATE, 4:21: Now, Ball scores from 1-yard out. It’s 14-7 Badgers with 14:57 left in the first half.

UPDATE, 4:33: That was a mess of a drive for Penn State. When they actually can run a play, the Nittany Lions aren’t doing poorly. But penalties– including an unsportmanlike call on McGloin after spiking the ball — are killing them.

UPDATE, 4:40: A 33-yard punt return by Justin Brown gives Penn State the ball at the Wisconsin 48. They need a solid drive here. No mistakes.

UPDATE, 4:52: Wisconsin is going in again. The Badgers offense has been on the field all day. All day.

UPDATE, 5:02: Wisconsin has scored twice — twice — in the last 10 minutes. After the Ball touchdown run that made it 21-7, Zordich fumbled the kickoff. Wilson-to-Nick Toon turned that into a touchdown, from 4 yards out. It’s 28-7 now.

UPDATE, 5:07: The final Penn State drive of the half ends meekly.

I don’t have stats, but I’ll say this: Penn State turned the ball over twice, missed a slew of tackles, has made a slew of stupid penalties, and are losing by 21. Not a shock, considering they felt they had to play a clean game to win. There have just been far too many mistakes.

Is it over? No. But it doesn’t look good for the Nittany Lions, at all.

UPDATE, 5:13: Your halftime stats.

Rushing
Redd 6-28
Belton 1-9
Drake 1-4

Passing
McGloin 5 for 10, 70 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Belton 0 for 1

Receiving
Drake 2-43, TD
Brown 1-14
Redd 1-9
Moye 1-4

Tackles
Astorino 9
Hodges 5
Sukay 5
Carson 4

But the big numbers are these:

1 interception
1 lost fumble
21:54-8:06 deficit in time of possession

There have also been a ton of missed tackles.

UPDATE, 5:31: Redd fumbled on the third Penn State play of the half. Wisconsin recovered and Montee Ball was in the end zone three plays later.

It’s 35-7, Badgers.

UPDATE, 5:43: Here’s the scary thing: If Anthony Fera had hit that field goal against Nebraska, and the Nittany Lions went on to win in overtime, this game wouldn’t matter. Penn State would already be in the Big Ten Championship Game.

And they’re by no means in Wisconsin’s league.

UPDATE, 6:16: A 44-yard field goal by Philip Welch makes it 45-7 Badgers.

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